It is far too easy to get pulled into the details of a team member’s day to day activities, and I’m not suggesting we don’t listen to what concerns them. But If we keep our discussions with our people focused on advancing the businesses priorities each week, the right actions and activities must naturally follow.

Here’s how:

– Select three to four relevant priorities and make them the key focal points of your discussions with that person each week (if you’re managing cross-function, it’s particularly valuable).
– Write them down on the top of your notes sheet that you prepare for your catch ups (if your staff prepares them, have them include it. If you’re not preparing one, please begin.)
– Perhaps select one priority and brainstorm around it for 15 minutes.
– Pay close attention to what other functions the ideas affect.
– Select one or two that can be done and advance them.

Within a few weeks you’ll find the conversation change, and you’ll also see their ability to manage the details improve, and their motivation skyrocket. By talking about priority advancement (i.e. a conversation around how we can improve the customer’s experience today), we’re talking about the important details needed to advance the business. You’ll also see the bottom 3% of activities just naturally fall off.